Seasonal Historical Interpreter

The Trustees of Reservations•Ipswich, MA

3d•$17 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

Who We Are: Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org . Posting Information: Salary/Hourly Rate: $16.50 - $18.50/hour Hours per week: 14-21 hours a week, with flexibility Job Classification: Limited Term, Seasonal Job Type: Onsite Duration: April - November Location: Castle Hill, Ipswich, MA What You’ll Do: Your Impact: Do you love history, people, and theatre? Do you go to Renaissance Festivals in full costume? Would you travel back in time if you could? Do you have a fully realized D&D character? If any of these questions resonate, you might be just the person we are looking for! At Castle Hill on the Crane Estate each of our tours is led by a trained, costumed interpreter who plays the role of one of the many servants in the Great House, the Crane family’s summer home. If you join the “staff” you’ll be greeting visitors who are also given characters, people who visited the Cranes on Castle Hill in the 1920s. You can spend YOUR summer (and beyond) surrounded by the grandeur of one of the only intact country estates in Massachusetts, overlooking the ocean and Great Marsh. Be careful, this place is addictive! The Role : The Cultural Site Interpreter leads up to 4 hour-long tours a day. When not on tour, interpreters meet and interact with general visitors. They also have the opportunity to add interactive elements to tours they are not leading. Historical information is shared in a narrative style which engages the visitor, leaving them with the feeling that they can imagine what it was like to live this way. Interpreters are trained to give at least 4 differently themed tours, each exploring a different aspect of life on Castle Hill. Specialty tours are also available which include the gardens and grounds. Costumes are supplied by the Trustees. Specifically, you’ll: Opening and closing of the museum rooms of the Great House Customer interaction throughout the day, whether on tour or casual Giving visitors the opportunity to become Trustees members Giving visitors advice and instructions for exploring the Castle Hill grounds This is a limited-term, nonexempt position working 14-21 hours/week reporting directly to the Cultural Programs Coordinator.

Requirements

Verbal communication skills
Storytelling skills
Comfortable around people of all types
Able to work indoors and outdoors. There is limited air conditioning in the Great House; it can get quite warm mid-summer.
Must be comfortable standing for a majority of working hours and comfortable with walking up and down multiple staircases.
Interpreters must be able to carry a tray of “champagne” glasses.
Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.
A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Responsibilities

Opening and closing of the museum rooms of the Great House
Customer interaction throughout the day, whether on tour or casual
Giving visitors the opportunity to become Trustees members
Giving visitors advice and instructions for exploring the Castle Hill grounds

Benefits

Sick Time: 40 hours of paid sick time upfront.
Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.
Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.

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